Hospitality Veteran Suzanne Hanna Joins Smith Group
Former TGI Fridays & Yum SVP Named Chief Operating Officer
Smith, the Asbury Park-based creative collective and hospitality group behind Porta, Brickwall Tavern, Pascal & Sabine, and Little Buddy, has hired a new Chief Operating Officer.
Suzanne Hanna, a former TGI Fridays and Yum senior vice president will oversee business operations for all Smith restaurants, officials said in a written statement.
“We couldn’t be happier to welcome Suzanne into the Smith family,” said Smith partner Meg Brunette. “Suzanne brings exceptional leadership qualities that will be a valuable asset to our team as we continue to expand our restaurants throughout New Jersey and beyond.”
A seasoned hospitality veteran with more than two decades of experience, Hanna devised long-term organizational strategies and operational leadership for TGI Fridays and oversaw Yum’s KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell brands. She also held leadership roles at Darden Restaurants and Morton’s Steakhouse.
Hanna is joining Smith as the group readies to open a Porta and Brickwall Tavern in Philadelphia.
In her role as COO, Hanna will work closely with Brunette and partners Kyle Lepree, Jason and Jim Watt [at right]. She will oversee operations for Smith’s Asbury Park, Jersey City, and Burlington based restaurants as well as the Philadelphia eateries.
“It’s a very exciting period of growth for Smith, and I’m thrilled to be joining a group whose vision for hospitality is aligned with mine,” Hanna said. “I look forward to working together with a group of forward-thinking innovators as we create breakthroughs in this industry through beloved concepts like Porta and Brickwall.”
The Philadelphia Porta and Brickwall Tavern, located adjacent to each other on Chestnut Street in Midtown Village, are slated to open in December and January, respectively.
For more about Smith, its ventures and eateries, click on the names below:
Smith, Fishbird, Porta, Brickwall Tavern, Pascal & Sabine, The Annex and Little Buddy Hideaway.
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